A sprawling luxury ryokan like something out of a James Bond film. Hidden in Hokkaido’s lush forest, each of the 15 modern villas has private, unspoiled views of white birches through the floor-to-ceiling windows and a chic outdoor onsen tub and patio.
Read expert review

The uber-luxe hotel group has opened its second property in Japan after Tokyo. The minimal resort is set in the forested hills of southern Mie Prefecture, complete with spacious villas, hot spring onsen baths, sea views, delicious seafood and expansive spa.
Read expert review

This Tokyo hotel is as serene as it is sleek, spanning the top six floors of a 38-storey skyscraper in the business district Otemachi. The minimal interior taps into Japan’s design heritage with its wood, paper and stone, while tall partitions create loose boundaries between the lobby, lounge, restaurant and bar.
Read expert review

A traditional and stylish ryokan in Japan’s most luxurious onsen town. This renowned Relais & Châteaux property has been welcoming guests for more than 150 years and through seven generations of the same family.
Read expert review

Serene, romantic and impeccably designed: this riverside hotel is a luxurious take on a traditional Japanese retreat, located among remote forests on the fringes of Kyoto and accessed by private boat.
Read expert review

It’s all about art at KAI Sengokuhara, Japan’s first art-themed hot spring onsen hotel, a sleek, modern take on a traditional ryokan inn set in the forested mountains of Hakone – complete with artworks created from artist residencies, an art atelier and a raft of creative pursuits for guests.
Read expert review

The atmosphere at the family-friendly Four Seasons Marunouchi feels at times more like an exclusive private members club than conventional five-star hotel, with its stylish interiors striking just the right balance between chic and cosy – an intimate anomaly among Tokyo’s normally more expansive luxury properties.
Read expert review

Four Seasons Kyoto wows from the moment of arrival until you bid it a fond farewell, with self-assured service, wonderfully calming interiors, sensational gardens and a spa so sublime it’s a destination in its own right.
Read expert review

There’s high-rise and then there’s this: a luxury hotel perched atop the tallest building in the world’s most populous metropolis. It’s got Michelin-starred dining, seamless service and a calmness that contrasts brilliantly with the chaos 50 floors below.
Read expert review

It's all about luxury with a capital L at Shangri-La's Tokyo outpost, which spans the top 11 floors of a 37-storey skyscraper in the Marunouchi district – as reflected in its rich-hued textiles, vast walls of windows, lavish chandeliers, intricate floral arrangements, spacious guestrooms and expansive art collection.
Read expert review

Stay in a piece of Japanese history at the university villa of Prince Higashifushimi, uncle of the current Japanese Emperor Akihito. This expertly preserved ryokan pays incredible attention to detail and authenticity.
Read expert review

Part of Starwood’s Luxury Collection hotels, the Suiran is an intimate 39-room property located on the banks of the Katsuma River, in western Kyoto. Formerly the private villa of a 19th-century industrialist, it is surrounded by a number of historic, cultural and natural wonders.
Read expert review

A peaceful, nature retreat for guests looking to escape the hot Tokyo summers. The property is reminiscent of a resort village on the banks of small lake, populated with ducks and wildlife. It feels like the pleasant staff are the villagers, and the guests are friends coming to visit.
Read expert review

Some of the most spacious rooms in Tokyo can be found at The Peninsula, a 24-storey, rose-tinted tower inspired by a Japanese lantern. Expect unwavering service, panoramic views from the rooftop restaurant, legendary afternoon teas and a convenient location in Yurakucho.
Read expert review

A historic hotel with a contemporary interior overlooking the Imperial Palace moat in the heart of Tokyo. Spacious rooms (with balconies) look out over the palace gardens with a line of futuristic skyscrapers in the distance. Don’t miss Wadakura, its network of intimate Japanese restaurants.
Read expert review